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Tuesday, February 4, 2014

After working on the very modernFloating Squares quilt last week my new project could not be any more traditional. The Pineapple Quilt Block dates back to the 1930's and the possible design variations - in size, repeat, and color placement - are endless. The making of this quilt is inspired by Connie's Teeny Tiny Pineapple Project as featured on Bonnie Hunter's blog, simply because I admire the commitment and determination it takes to piece miniature blocks. My blocks however are not so teeny tiny!

My Scrappy Pineapple Blocks are 7 inches x 7 inches finished and I have chosen to foundation paper piece for accuracy. I have drafted my own foundation pattern for the block using EQ7 - quilt design software - which really is easy to do once you have spent some time playing around with the program. My initial block color arrangement ~

and then my EQ7 version of the quilt layout:

And so the paper piecing began. Cut, sew, press, trim - I found my sewing rhythm! Around and around it goes. 784 pieces. Up and down from the sewing machine to ironing board, to cutting board. Once I got the hang of it though I was able to sew up to four pieces at a time. The blocks were time consuming, taking more than an hour each to complete, and that is with fabric cut and ready to go. (The above layout was only for general design purposes only; I did not follow the colors of this layout but instead allowed color placement to be completely random).

I have made the foundation paper piecing pattern for this block available as a PDF file - ready to download - from my Pattern Store. The download is for a four page PDF file and includes:

7 inch Scrappy Pineapple Block Foundation

A to scale size of the block in color to assist with fabric/color placement.

A full color layout of the quilt

A black/white line drawing of 16 blocks which will allow you to color in and experiment with colors and color placement.

Print only page 1 of the pdf file to print multiple copies of the foundation pattern.

The download pattern does NOT include any paper piecing or assembly instructions - general paper piecing knowledge is a prerequisite. These basic instructions will assist you in successfully completing this project:

The "pineapple" effect is created by alternating colored and white fabric (I have used numerous shades of "white' fabric including Robert Kaufman Kona Cotton in ivory, snow, cream, and bone). Start in the center at number 1 with a colored fabric square and work you way around in sequence, alternating the colored and white fabrics.

Cut fabric pieces larger than required. I cut long strips of fabric 1.5 inches wide and then cross cut the fabric strips as required. Cut a 2 inch square for the center of the block. Cut a 4.5 inch square and cut once diagonally for the corner triangles.

Reduce the length of your stitches. This will make removal of the foundation paper a breeze and keeps your seams intact after the paper has been removed.

Don't remove your papers until after you have joined your blocks together.

Print your foundation pattern ACTUAL SIZE. Do not reduce or scale to fit.

Please don't be intimidated by this technique or the apparent complexity of this block. If you have tried theEconomy Block Foundation Paper Piecing Pattern you can do totally do this ~ the center of the Pineapple Block is the same, and as your work your way out from the center this block only gets easier.

31 comments:

Wow!! This quilt is absolutely gorgeous. I have followed your blog for some time now and I think this is right at the top of my favorites list of the quilts you have made. Stunning. Thank you for sharing the Paper piecing pattern.

Your pineapple quilt is so very striking! I am in love and I can't wait to get started on my own! I agree that the low volume block adds the perfect touch to it all and makes the quilt even more intriguing. Thank you for the pattern; you, as always, are awesome!

The pattern may be traditional but your choices of whites and colors make it absolutely contemporary. If you could see music in colors then this is what sixteen stereo speakers look like at full volume.

I would not miss your blog; thank you for sharing so many photographs, techniques and fabrics!

Offering this block pattern, all the additional sheets, and your notes on this Pineapple Quilt is so kind and generous. I've always thought the pineapple block was so neat and now I'll be able to try it out. 784!! pieces is definitely intimidating so I appreciate your encouragement. I'm swamped right now but it's on my "To Do" list. Thanks, Rita; you're fabulous!